Tuesday, May 22, 2007
News Pressure mounts on Clark Atlanta president
Posted by Alyssa Abkowitz on Tue, May 22, 2007 at 8:41 PM
Clark Atlanta University’s board of trustees showed some signs last week of listening to students and faculty members who want school President Walter Broadnax removed. But that wasn’t enough to stop the activists from holding yet another action on Tuesday calling for Broadnax’s ouster.
“We have been had, and we have been misled,†Diane Plummer, a professor of psychology, said at a press conference held to pressure the board to fire Broadnax. “We do not need a hood ornament … but someone who serves a vital role in fulfilling the mission of the university.â€
On May 18, the board agreed to work with students and faculty, and to look into claims Broadnax has mismanaged the school’s finances and cut valuable academic programs. But it’s unclear whether board members think Broadnax, whose five-year contract is up, should go.
The board’s action came a month after six students filed a lawsuit against Clark Atlanta for breach of contract, alleging the university didn’t offer the courses they needed to graduate on time. And last month 86 percent of the school’s faculty gave Broadnax a vote of “no confidence,†while more than 800 students signed a petition to oust him.
Clark Atlanta is the largest school in Atlanta University Center, which also includes Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman colleges.
A university spokeswoman distributed a statement to reporters at the press conference. It defended Broadnax, saying he’s reduced the school’s debt from $25 million to $4 million.
Plummer countered that Broadnax has created “illusions of progress.†Data gathered by a faculty committee shows tuition has steadily increased under Broadnax to $18,036 (for the next academic year), while grants and contracts awarded to the school have plummeted over the past four years from $20 million to less than $10 million.
“Students pay top dollar for deteriorating services,†undergraduate Yemaya Stallworth said at the press conference. “We’re not feeling confident in what we’re receiving.â€
Comments (1)
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Oh my goodness--a reporter who has put two and two together and got the complete picture. That is precisely what we are saying--Broadnax tells the world CAU is like the sweet, juicy, red apple, and Ms. Abkowitz, my heart is warmed because you were able to discern that we are trying to tell the Board that there are worms throughout the apple. Is it a coincidence, a fluke, ironic, that STUDENTS would have to file a lawsuit to get CLASSES from a U-N-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y? Or are administrators making decisions about the University without looking at the impact on the academic programs? People, well Michael Lomax anyway, described us as detractors, I don't know him personally and have never seen him on our campus, but he needs to walk in our--collectively, students, faculty and staff [not administrators'] shoes. We have a righteous reason as those invested in the University (i.e., the education of generations, not just today) to be disturbed about the condition of the educational program at CAU from what we have experienced with Broadnax for five years. The Board gave him a chance, he failed. Thank you Ms. Abkowitz!
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